Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 106
05/03/2005 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB277 | |
| HB283 | |
| HB189 | |
| SB132 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 277 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 283 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 189 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 132 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 277-GAMBLE-SPERL UAS JOINT USE FACILITY 8:04:40 AM CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 277, "An Act naming the Charles Gamble Jr. - Donald Sperl Joint Use Facility in Juneau." 8:04:42 AM REPRESENTATIVE BETH KERTTULA, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor of HB 277, thanked the committee for so promptly hearing the bill and presented Senator Kim Elton and Representative Bill Thomas. 8:05:06 AM SENATOR KIM ELTON, Alaska State Legislature, noted that 35 years ago, he would have introduced himself as "U.S. 50203352" - a draftee of the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam from 1969 through 1970. He introduced the parents, sister, and brother-in-law of the late Donald Sperl. He said the Sperl family has brought some of the memorabilia of Donald Sperl to share with the committee. He also introduced the family and friends of Charles Gamble. SENATOR ELTON said Charles and Don lived their entire lives in Juneau, Alaska, and joined the army and ended up in Vietnam. Charles was born November 16, 1948, and died October 28, 1969, as a result of a helicopter crash in Vietnam. Donald was born January 12, 1948, and died May 8, 1968 from wounds received in the line of duty. He noted that both of the men would have been his age if they were still alive. 8:07:53 AM SENATOR ELTON reported that the joint use facility - both armory and student recreation - will be completed on the University of Alaska campus in July [2005]. He offered his understanding that the facility will be the only one in the nation that is used as both a university recreation center and as an armory. The facility is being built with federal, state, and university funds. He stated that naming the facility after Charles Gamble and Donald Sperl will be an important reminder [of what these men have sacrificed]. Senator Elton shared that during his last visit to Washington, D.C., he visited the Vietnam War Memorial and found the names of both Mr. Sperl and Mr. Gamble on the wall. He concluded, "It would be very, very important, I think, for the community, if we could honor them locally instead of just in our nation's capital." 8:09:08 AM REPRESENTATIVE BILL THOMAS, Alaska State Legislature, said he knows both families well, having met them after he returned from Vietnam. He said, "It took me 18-20 years before I had the guts to go see the Sperl family." He explained that he grew up with "Donny," meeting him on the basketball court during high school. He said he went to college with Donald Sperl. He said he was drafted to Vietnam on December 7, 1966 as U.S. 50202962. He related a story of running into Donald and Charles on his way to duty. Both men were serving as medics. Representative Thomas stated his support of HB 277. 8:11:47 AM SENATOR ELTON, in response to a question from Representative Gardner, confirmed that Donald Sperl and Charles Gamble were the only two men from Juneau who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. He stated for the record that the effort to name the facility began about the same time an agreement was made to build it, about three years ago. He revealed that there is an institutional bias within the university to name facilities after university folks, and there is an institutional bias to name armories after those in the National Guard. He emphasized that both of those biases are appropriate. He said it's important for the record to reflect that while these are the only two ... young men from Juneau who died in Vietnam, there are people from Juneau, and around the state who are presently serving in Iraq, and if any harm should come to them, he is certain that Representatives Kerttula and Thomas would join him in welcoming additions to the names on the building. He said he thinks the naming of the facility is especially appropriate, because it's a facility designed for young men and women both at the university and serving in the [National Guard]. 8:13:58 AM SENATOR ELTON, in response to a question from Chair Seaton, confirmed that the borough assembly passed a resolution in support of the naming of the facility. 8:14:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA noted that the university did have concerns because normally the board of regents and students are involved. However, she noted that Chancellor Pugh has asked that the rooms within the building remain available to name. She said she thinks that was a gracious compromise from the university. 8:14:50 AM CHAIR SEATON noted for the record that he saw the chancellor nod his head in agreement to that statement. 8:15:06 AM WALTER A. SOBELEFF, JR., testifying on behalf of himself, stated that [the Vietnam War] was largely unpopular and veterans from that war have "just gone by the wayside." He said recognition given to Donald Sperl and Charles Gamble is long overdue. He noted that there is a memorial to a dog on Juneau's waterfront. He spoke of the sacrifices of the men and of their families. CHAIR SEATON assured Mr. Sobeleff that he would find wide support for the bill. 8:16:22 AM CARLOS C. CADIENTE, testifying on behalf of himself, told the committee that Charles Franklin Gamble - also known as "Skoogie" - was one of his best friends. He said Charles was a full-blood Alaska Native. Mr. Cadiente listed the names of the late Mr. Gamble's parents and sisters. He noted that Donald Sperl was an outstanding varsity athlete. He said both Donald and Charles were loved by all their classmates at Juneau Douglas High School, and both had the ability to bridge all people in the community together. Mr. Cadiente said he and his father debated the Vietnam War; he said he believed that war was not the answer. He said his father was devastated when Charles died in Vietnam. MR. CADIENTE shared a photograph of his father next to "panel 17-West of the Vietnam Memorial, where Charles' name is inscribed. He stated that it would be a great tribute to both Donald and Charles, who made the ultimate sacrifice, to name the new building in their honor. He noted that Charles' family also approves of the naming of the building after both their son and Donald Sperl. He added, "I ... think that naming in honor of Charles and Don would also be a belated thank you from all our Alaskan communities to all those who have served in Vietnam." Furthermore, he opined that it would honor all the Alaskan soldiers who are currently in harm's way. He urged the committee to support HB 277. 8:18:58 AM CHAIR SEATON said he knows it's difficult to testify, and he emphasized how much he appreciates the efforts of those testifying, as well as of [those who serve their country]. 8:19:05 AM KARYL D. "BUNNY" LINDEGAARD, testifying on behalf of the Class of 1965 and herself, said meetings are being held in preparation for a 40-year reunion this year. She said, "We will be missing Donald Sperl." LORRAINE DAVIS had her testimony read by Karyl D. "Bunny" Lindegaard as follows: I will be out of town tomorrow, until May 12. Just wanted to say, "thank you" for this opportunity to express support naming the new facility, "The Sperl/Gamble Armory." What a tribute to the families and those of us who went to JD-High with these men. Please feel free to use my name in support of naming this facility .... MS. LINDEGAARD continued with her testimony. She said Donald Sperl and Charles Gamble were young men of character. She listed Donald's qualities. She said that people will be able to explained to others the reason the building is named after the two men. She stated, "They were men of responsibility, respect, courtesy, and honesty, and that those values might be displayed through their names and through their families' names on that building, I thank you for any thoughtful consideration you will give." 8:22:14 AM CHAIR SEATON closed public testimony. 8:22:24 AM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to report HB 277 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 277 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|